Archives for: "April 2011"

Право

by Don  

The word право means right in the sense of “the right to do something”. In the singular it is stem-stressed, and in the plural it is end-stressed. Sg Pl Nom право права Acc Gen права прав Pre праве правах Dat праву правам Ins правом правами The word… more »

Нельзя

by Don  

The word нельзя means “it is forbidden”. In this sense it is used with imperfective verbs: Нельзя говорить по-французски на занятиях русского языка. You aren't allowed to speak French in Russian class. В библиотеке нельзя говорить громко. Speaking… more »

Милый

by Don  

The word милый in its various forms means sweetheart, dear, darling. It's used as a term of affection between boyfriends and girlfriends, among family members and close friends. Милая, не передашь мне телефон? Sweetie, could you give me the telephone?… more »

Секрет

by Don  

The word секрет means, surprise-surprise, secret. On that score it's not interesting at all. What is interesting is that the Russians use this phrase all the time in the phrase "if it's not a secret." They use the phrase to soften what might otherwise… more »

Река

by Don  

The word for river in Russian is река. Note how the stress shifts. For the most part in the singular it is end-stressed, with the exception of the accusative, and in the plural it is stem-stressed: Sg Pl Nom река реки Acc реку Gen реки рек Pre реке… more »

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